I came across http://www.djiboutijones.com/2014/01/a-letter-to-the-grandparents-of-my-third-culture-kids/ that I shared with our moms several months ago. . . so I decided to personalize it and share. Kind of like a Hallmark card. I didn’t pen them, but I mean them

I don’t really remember when, or if, we officially told we would be moving overseas. . . or specifically this FAR overseas.  But I also don’t remember you trying to talk us out of it.  That “we” included not only your son and daughter, but now also your 3 grandchildren.  Caden was only 10 months old when we left.  You weren’t the only ones who thought about him growing up, and that he may not really “remember” you or “know” you.  I think about that a lot.

We sold most of stuff, packed up all of the rest and stored them in your closets and work buildings. We uprooted our little family, and we left. Again, I don’t know what that was like for you, but I can imagine. I know you were supportive, loving and encouraging.  But, I also know it probably broke your heart and crushed some of your world . . . the dreams and convenience of family living close, doing life together, watching the kids grow up, holidays and birthdays, etc.

Sometimes I want to apologize to you for making that part of your life difficult, or causing you cry at times because we are far away.  Sometimes I want to apologize for not being there birthdays, celebrations (like Mother’s Day), family gatherings . . . and for you not being able to be here for ours.

But, though I wish there wasn’t pain involved, I don’t have regrets, not when I think about the ultimate picture and ultimate end If only we could live in two places at once . . . one would be there in the States, and one would be on this wild adventure that we are on. But that can’t really happen now can it? So instead, I will simply say thank you. Thank you for not saying “Don’t go.”

Thank you for raising David and I with a vision for the world. Thank you for teaching us to work hard, to trust, to have a vision, and to love. Thank you for helping us pass these qualities on to your grandchildren.

Thank you for crying when we left but for never making us feel guilty. Thank you for making space in your homes for our boxes and space for our bodies when we come back to visit! Thank you for giving your grandchildren a safe place to talk about their experiences, for being interested in their lives, for seeing that they are content and happy . . and for being excited with them and for them!

Thank you for being willing to visit!  For being willing to make this 30 hour trip and endure the jet lag that will accompany it.  Thank you for learning about a region of the world you previously hadn’t paid as much attention to. Thank you for seeing our lives here, not just the hole left in your heart, but as our lives that we are pouring ourselves into – the work, the people, the friendships, the study! Thank you for possessing the courage and humility it takes to acknowledge and appreciate that and to not insist that the only good place for us to live is near you (though that would be good too).

Before we left, so many people said, “Oh, your poor parents. So far from their children and grandchildren.” But you raised us to care about the world, to follow the Father’s leading, to seek His will, and to love the nations. Thank you for living this way and for passing it on the next and next generations.

Thank you for making it abundantly clear that no matter where we live, we are loved. I could never have asked for a better mom, mother-in-law, or grandparents to our kids. We love you and we miss you!  Happy Mother’s Day from all of us!